Anya Taylor-Joy Just Crushed Hopes For The Queen’s Gambit Season 2 — Netflix Fans Aren’t Happy
Anya Taylor-Joy just dashed hopes for The Queen’s Gambit Season 2, saying a return is unlikely and she’s content leaving the Netflix hit as a stand-alone checkmate.
Heads up if you were holding out hope for more Beth Harmon: that next chapter you imagined is staying on the shelf. And honestly, that might be the right call.
The update, straight from Anya
In a new interview, Anya Taylor-Joy said the series is finished as-is and she is happy to leave it there.
"You know what, I think it is so beautiful as it is," she said. "I feel like it is currently in a situation where, like, if we added anything to it, it might take away from it. So I think that story is, like, very nicely wrapped up with a bow."
Translation: Season 2 is off the table.
Why that tracks
The Queen's Gambit was designed as a complete story. It adapted Walter Tevis' 1983 novel from start to finish, following orphaned chess phenom Beth Harmon from age 8 to 22 through addiction, obsession, and a ruthless climb to the top of the chess world. No cliffhanger. No dangling subplot. Just a clean checkmate.
The run, the reception, the receipts
- Release: Seven episodes dropped in October 2020.
- Status: Still sits at No. 8 on Netflix's most-watched English-language TV shows ever.
- Awards: 11 Emmys, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Scott Frank).
- Star hardware: Anya Taylor-Joy won a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, and a Critics' Choice Award for Beth.
Cast and creative
Alongside Taylor-Joy, the ensemble includes Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Isla Johnston, Christiane Seidel, Rebecca Root, Chloe Pirrie, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Marielle Heller, Harry Melling, Patrick Kennedy, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Marcin Dorocinski.
Scott Frank wrote, directed, and executive produced the series. William Horberg also executive produced, with Allan Scott on board as co-writer and executive producer.
Where to watch
The Queen's Gambit is streaming now on Netflix. If you wanted more, the good news is the original is still excellent. Not every hit needs a sequel. This one already did what it came to do.